The President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, KNUST Chapter, Professor Eric KK Abavare, has taken a swipe at the CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr Mary Awusi, over comments she made regarding the Church of Pentecost Chairman’s stance on illegal mining.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Dear Ghanaian”, Prof. Abavare described Dr Awusi’s remarks as an “affront on the sensibilities of Ghanaians” and called on President John Dramani Mahama to relieve her of her position.
Prof. Abavare said he was “surprised” to hear Dr Awusi warn Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, not to speak about galamsey on grounds that he is not a politician and had not criticised the previous administration’s handling of the menace.
“I have also listened to the purported tape of the Man of God’s admonition regarding galamsey. I was surprised to learn that the Man of God did nothing wrong by stating the facts,” Prof Abavare wrote.
He noted that Apostle Nyamekye had only pointed out the impact of galamsey on river bodies, stating that the church can no longer carry out baptismal activities due to high turbidity levels.
“Indeed, I was disappointed in Dr Awusi’s attack on the man of God. She does not deserve the position she is holding, and I suggest that the president relieve her,” he added.
The UTAG-KNUST president said progress in the galamsey fight under the current administration has been “so slow and ineffective”. He argued that Ghanaians voted out the NPP because of the old administration’s inability to solve the problem, believing President Mahama would tackle it.
“Madam Awusi should have told Ghanaians what the turbidity levels are now and under the old administration,” Prof. Abavare said. “If she gets the opportunity to speak on behalf of the president and makes such nonsensical statements, it is insulting to the intelligence of Ghanaians.”
He further recalled that President Mahama himself had admitted publicly that some of his party faithful are involved in galamsey “and yet did nothing about it or did nothing to stamp out his own people.”
Prof. Abavare said chainsaws are still being manufactured and excavators continue to be carted around, despite presidential directives. “None of the president’s directives on these machines are being adhered to, and he says nothing,” he stated.
The KNUST lecturer also took aim at Communications Minister Sam Nartey George, accusing him of hypocrisy. He compared Dr Awusi’s comments to Hon. Sam George’s current silence on LGBT+ issues.
“He spoke so vehemently against LGBT++ in opposition and has now lost his voice when the LGBT++ community could get the courage and impudence to organise a conference here in Ghana, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. This is hypocrisy,” Prof Abavare wrote.
On the ongoing DStv controversy, he said the minister had failed to enforce his own directive. “Hon. Sam Nartey George should not chicken out of the DStv saga; unable to enforce his own directive as minister, he wants Ghanaians to take him seriously. Talk is cheap, they say.”
He urged the minister to pursue the anti-LGBT+ bill in Parliament to “regain his image”, adding: “For now, on the scale of 10 in the eyes of the Ghanaian, his performance so far does not look good. I would not be surprised if he does not make it to the next round of the reshuffle.”
Prof. Abavare ended his statement with a tribute: “May the spirits of those who perished in the course of the galamsey fight never be forgotten.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana